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Architects transform an old hay barn into a stunning minimalist home

OFIS Architects have converted an old hay barn in Slovenia into a gorgeous living space. The barn was originally used to house cattle on the first floor and store hay on the upper level, but had been left empty for years. To convert the space into a comfortable loft space without sacrificing the building’s local vernacular, the architects were determined to use as much as the existing structure as possible.

The Slovenian countryside is full of decrepit barns that serve as symbols of the country’s rural lifestyle. To pay respects to the local vernacular, the architects made impressive strides to use what they could of the barn’s original materials.

Surprisingly, the renovation team was able to maintain almost all of the external wooden cladding and concrete roof slates. A few strategic renovations were made to include windows and an opening for the front porch to let in natural light to the home, and a ramp that previously led animals into the barn was also fixed to serve the same purpose for the new, human inhabitant.

Inside, the home has an open floor plan with minimal furnishings and exposed wooden beams. The interior floors, walls and furniture are covered in locally-sourced spruce panels, resulting in a homey cabin feel. The open living and dining area make up the main volume, and a raised bedroom was installed in the back. The kitchen, sauna, fireplace and bathroom are all strategically placed out of sight behind a wall of sliding vertical planks to further open the living space.

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Architects transform an old hay barn into a stunning minimalist home

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

1 of 8

OFIS Architects have converted an old hay barn located in Slovenia into a gorgeous living space. The barn was originally used to house cattle on the first floor and store hay on the upper level, but had been left empty for years. To convert the space into a comfortable loft space without sacrificing the building's local vernacular, the architects were determined to use as much as the existing structure as possible.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

2 of 8

The Slovenian countryside is full of decrepit barns that serve as reminders of the country's dwindling rural population.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

3 of 8

To pay respects to the local vernacular of the structure, the architects made impressive strides to use what they could of the barn's materials.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

4 of 8

Surprisingly, they were able to maintain almost all of the external wooden cladding and concrete roof slates.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

5 of 8

A few strategic renovations were made to include windows and an opening for the front porch to let in natural light to the home.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

6 of 8

Inside, the home is an open floor plan with minimal furnishings. The interior floors, walls and furniture are covered in locally-sourced spruce panels, giving the interior a strong cabin feel.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

7 of 8

The old barn has been renovated into a beautiful modern home.

OFIS Architects Barn Renovation

8 of 8

OFIS Architects have converted an old hay barn in Slovenia into a gorgeous living space. The barn was originally used to house cattle on the first floor and store hay on the upper level, but had been left empty for years. To convert the space into a comfortable loft space without sacrificing the building's local vernacular, the architects were determined to use as much as the existing structure as possible.